"Cond. Perfect and Conditional when used with Imp. Sub. and Plusperfect Sub."

Question

Hello!

I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could tell me the difference between the following statements, a translation of their meanings and an explanation of when to use which combination. Thank you so much for your time.

"Habría querido que mi escuela sirviera pastel" "Habría querido que mi escuela hubiera servido pastel" "Querría que mi escuela sirviera pastel" "Querría que mi escuela hubiera servido pastel"

I greatly appreciate your time. (:

Answer 1

You can use any of these phrases; it´s just a matter of preference and a slight difference nuance:

"Habría querido que mi escuela sirviera pastel" ... "I would have wanted that my school serve cake."

"Habría querido que mi escuela hubiera servido pastel" ... "I would have wanted that my school serve cake." (The same as the first but with the auxiliary verb being the subjunctive)

"Querría que mi escuela sirviera pastel" ... "I would want that my school had served cake"

"Querría que mi escuela hubiera servido pastel" ... "I would want that my school had served cake" (same as the third but with the auxiliary verb being the subjunctive)

But what I still don't understand is how the first two sentences are any different in meaning. Do they mean the exact same thing? Or how the 3rd and 4th sentences are any different. Do they mean the exact same thing? Thank you. - Telope, Oct 23, 2012

It´s a very slight difference, but the first two reflect wanting in the past and the last two wanting in present in conditional, but all 4 wanting a past action that didn´t happen. The only difference between 1 / 2 and 3 / 4 is sentence structure - 005faa61, Oct 23, 2012

In the end, all 4 mean the same thing - 005faa61, Oct 23, 2012

Yes, splitting the none exsistent slices of cake.. - annierats, Oct 23, 2012

In so, these two sentences both mean and communicate the exact same thing?: "Habría querido que mi escuela sirviera pastel" "Habría querido que mi escuela hubiera servido pastel" - Telope, Oct 23, 2012

Answer 2

I think the first two sound gentler,

I would have liked it if my school could have given us some cake.

This is a sad thought about a rotten time in school, not even a biscuit..

The last two: I wanted my school to serve us cake ( but it didn't, sugar).

This sounds more plaintive.

I'm not sure if this is right and the difference is minimal. He would have liked cake but he didn't get any.